Tammie's Take~

Sharing The Best/Worst Of My World and Pittsburgh, Too

You are here: Home / Search for "family"

Search Results for: family

7 Natural Remedies for Anxious Dogs

Reviews · 

Anxiety is common among dogs and can be caused by a number of things, sometimes based on their personality type, and sometimes situational.  This anxiety can manifest itself in a number of ways including excessive grooming or licking, constant barking, acting aggressively to members of the household, eliminating indoors, and destroying everything in sight.

While many anxieties, such as separation anxiety, can be improved through a process of training and conditioning, as well as positive reinforcement, some dogs need calming down before this training can begin, and others are anxious in general as opposed to for a specific reason.  In these cases, there are some natural remedies that you can try.  Below are some of the best options often recommended by veterinarians for anxious dogs.

1. Exercise

In the same way that exercise is a really good stress reliever for humans, it works in the same way for dogs.  Exercise stimulates the production of serotonin, the happy hormone, which helps to relax while improving mood.  It also helps to relieve the dog of any tension and pent-up energy that could be contributing to the anxiety.  Whether you run, hike, or even play fetch with your dog in the park, all of these activities could help to lower the levels of anxiety your dog is feeling.

2. Distraction

Distraction is a good solution for dogs who tend to get anxious in specific situations, such as when fireworks go off, or when in a crowd.  The trick here is to engage with your dog’s brain so that he starts to focus on you, and the things that make him feel safe, as opposed to the things in the exterior that are making him anxious.  Some dogs find that toys such as puzzle balls and Kong toys filled with peanut butter help.  Other pet owners find that rewarding their dog for following commands such as ‘sit’, and ‘walk’ also helps in these situations.  Plus, there is a long-term bonus here as well.  As you reward your pet during stressful situations, he should begin to associate them with positive thoughts instead of frightening ones.

3. Massage

You may laugh, but it is definitely possible to give a dog a relaxing massage, and it can help to relieve their anxiety as well.  TTouch is a popular form of dog massage.  Invented by Linda Tellington-Jones, it involves performing circular movements with your fingers and hands all over your dog’s body.  The aim of TTouch is to activate your dog’s cells while awakening cellular intelligence.  It sounds scientific, but your dog should end up feeling much more relaxed.  In addition, studies have also shown that giving your dog a fuss can do wonders for your own stress and anxiety, so this method is a win-win for both of you.

4. DAP (Dog Appeasing Pheromone)

Research has shown that certain scents can help to quell a dog’s anxiety.  One of these scents is DAP.  A synthetic chemical, it is based on the hormone produced by lactating dogs.  The scent of this helps puppies to relax and increase their bond with their mother, and it is believed that the same scent is effective in adult dogs for lowering levels of anxiety.  While no research has been done to show just how effective it is, it is worth trying if your dog tends to be anxious on a regular basis.  DAP can be placed into a plug-in diffuser with each vial lasting around thirty days.  Humans aren’t able to smell it so you can place it in the room where your dog spends most of his time without worry.

5. CBD Oil

CBD oil is a relatively new phenomenon that has been proven effective in reducing anxiety levels in both dogs and humans.  As this site shows, it is available in both a tincture and a soft gel capsule.  If your dog finds either of these hard to swallow, you can also purchase CBD dog treats, which taste just like beef.  CBD oil can be used to treat both general anxiety and situational anxiety and it has no known side effects, making it a popular choice with pet owners throughout the United States.

6. Music

Humans aren’t the only species that find music relaxing, and you may be surprised to discover that your dog finds it as beneficial as you do.  In fact, some pet owners make a point of leaving the radio on when they leave the house to help pets suffering from separation anxiety to calm quicker.  There are even specific music compilations available for dogs that are intended to lower levels of anxiety, Through A Dog’s Ear being one such compilation.  The music from Through A Dog’s Ear has been specifically designed to be simple and minimizes the intricate auditory information found in the majority of music, so that it calms anxious dogs.

7. Thundershirt

A popular solution for dog anxiety, the Thundershirt wraps tightly around your dog providing him with a feeling of constant pressure.  The thought is that this pressure helps to calm a dog’s anxieties in all manner of situations, including noise anxiety and travel anxiety.  Surprisingly, there isn’t much scientific evidence to prove that it actually works.  However, with that said, a lot of pet owners have found it to be incredibly beneficial, and many now swear by it as a means of calming their dog down.  How well the Thundershirt performs may depend on the personality traits of the dog it is used on, as well as the specific situation in which it is used.  Either way, it is a good option to try, especially if you use it in combination with some of the other natural treatments we have described above.

It isn’t uncommon for a dog to have anxiety in the same way that a human does.  However, before you rush off to your vet for a pharmaceutical treatment, it’s worth giving one of the above natural remedies a try.  You can always discuss this with your veterinarian beforehand

Healthy Habits: 16 Things Every Woman In Her 60s Should Do

Reviews · 

Credit

 

As a whole species, humans hate change, which is why many of us find growing older so difficult. There are plenty of changes we have to deal with as we get on in life, some bad, of course, but also some good. Regardless of any of that, hitting our sixties doesn’t automatically mean a decline in health, despite what many people believe. In fact, our sixties is the perfect opportunity to try new things, explore new interests, meet new people, and so much more. After all, our kids are off having kids of their own now, so it’s time for us to have some fun. Here are sixteen things we should all do to stay healthy once we hit our sixties.

Watch What You Eat

When most people try to get healthy, regardless of their age, one of the first things they look at is their diet. Thankfully, this doesn’t change when we hit the grand age of sixty. For us sixty plus ladies, an ideal diet contains plenty of fruit and vegetables, oily fish, whole grains, and small amounts of lean meat and low-fat dairy. It should also be low in saturated fat. This can help to protect against a number of illnesses commonly associated with getting on in life.

Try Daily Multi-Vitamins

Sometimes even the healthiest of diets can be missing the right amounts of specific minerals and vitamins, especially once you hit sixty and we become prone to certain deficiencies. To remedy this, you should all consult with your doctor and learn how to get more of key nutrients you might be lacking in your diet. More often than not, taking a daily multivitamin can do the world of good. Just be sure to inform your doctor of anything you might start taking before you do.

Make Time For Exercise

Regular physical activity is necessary and vital regardless of your age. Unfortunately, many people make the mistake of assuming that it becomes less important and less safe as you grow older. This is far from the truth. In fact, exercise offers lots of health benefits for us women in our sixties, including weight control, stress management, and strengthening muscles and bones. With that in mind, we all need to make time to exercise for at least thirty minutes every day.

Wear The Right Footwear

Foot disorders and foot pain are common concerns for us older women, which means that, if you are going to be exercising regularly, you should make sure that you have the right footwear for the job. Trainers are a good option, as they tend to be more supportive than other types of footwear. Just make sure that whatever shoes you do choose fit you comfortably. Also, apply moisturizer to your feet and cut your toenails regularly to prevent dry skin and ingrown toenails.

Keep Your Mind Active

When it comes to health, your mind is just as important as your body. For this reason, you need to make sure that you give your brain a good workout now and then just like you do for the rest of you. Most people wrongly assume that us older ladies start to become forgetful and slow when we reach a certain age. However, regular brain training, using crosswords, sudoku, chess, and other mentally challenging games can help to keep our minds strong and prevent this.

Manage Your Stress Levels

Despite what many younger people assume, retirement isn’t always as carefree as it seems. In fact, retirees and other older ladies still have worry and stress just like anyone else does and, just like everyone else, this stress can lead to a number of health issues, including heart failure, stroke, and depression. To combat this and live healthier for longer, we need to manage our stress and reduce it by exercising regularly, sleeping properly, eating right, and meditating.

Credit

Get Plenty Of Sleep

Sleep is crucial for physical and mental health, but, as we get older, it becomes harder and harder to nod off. Thankfully, there are lots of things that we can do to sleep better at night. To start with, you should combat any external issues, like bed bugs. You can call in pest controllers to help with this. You should also make sure that your bedroom is quiet, dark, and relatively cool. Once you’ve done this, you should start to cut down on caffeine and exercise every day.

Ditch The Nicotine Addiction

Like caffeine, nicotine has the power to keep us up at night, massively deteriorating your physical and mental health. Smoking is also linked to a number of serious problems, including heart, lung, and gum disease, as well as cancer. It’s never too late to quit this habit and help is always available when you decide that you want to. As soon as you ditch the cigarettes, you’ll start to notice changes almost immediately, and you’ll likely live a long longer than you would have.  

Moderate Your Alcohol Consumption

Unfortunately, it’s not just a smoking habit that can cause your health to decline; Drinking too much alcohol can also have some pretty nasty consequences. That being said, we don’t need to give up alcohol completely to live a long and happy life. In fact, a glass of wine now and then can actually reduce stress levels, thus protecting us from the health problems that stress can trigger. With that in mind, you need to learn to moderate and control your drinking instead.

Brush Twice A Day

Sore and bleeding gums and gum disease are dental issues us older women commonly have to deal with. However, you can protect yourself by brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing at least once. This helps to remove plaque and bacteria from your teeth and gums. To avoid stains on your teeth, you should cut down on coffee and red wine or make sure that you swill your mouth out with water after drinking. Regular checkups with your dentist are also crucial.

Drink Plenty Of Water

Considering that most of your body is made up of water, it should be no surprise whatsoever that water is important for your health, but this is especially true as you get older. Drinking plenty will help to promote good circulation and deliver the nutrients you need all around your body. It also helps to remove toxins from your body and is important in metabolism and weight control. For this reason, we should all carry a water bottle around try to drink at least two liters every single day.

Look After Your Skin

Drinking lots of water also helps to keep your skin cells hydrated, plumping them up and reducing the appearance of wrinkles. As well as this, you should also moisturise daily and protect your skin from the sun by wearing sunscreen and staying inside during the hottest parts of the day. This will also help to prevent skin cancer. If you want a warm, summer’s glow, you should try fake tan instead of tanning beds, as these are also dangerous to your skin’s health.

Credit

Catch Up With Friends

Everyone feels lonely from time to time, but as you get older, leave work, and start spending more time at home, this feeling can get worse and worse, having an enormous negative impact on your mental health and even begin to affect your physically. For this reason, you should make an effort to catch up with your friends and family regularly. You could even organise a girls holiday for you and your friends. Even a five-minute chat on the phone can make a difference.

Find A New Hobby

When you’re in your sixties and don’t have work to go to every day, you can start to feel at a loose end, resulting in boredom and loneliness. To combat this, you could consider where your passion and skills lie and find yourself a new hobby. This could be anything from a new sport to a new language. This can massively boost your mood and self-esteem, as well as providing an opportunity for you to meet new people and forge new relationships.

Attend Regular Check-Ups

As already mentioned, us older women have a number of health issues to deal with that those just a little bit younger than us don’t. These include sight deterioration, bunions, and even some pretty nasty diseases. While there is a lot that we can do to prevent and combat these problems, one of the best solutions is getting regular advice from a doctor. These professionals can advise you on any further steps that you could take, as well as offer medications and supplements.

Listen To Your Doctor

If you’re going to take the time to go and visit your doctor, you need to make sure that you actually listen to what they have to say and follow the advice and instructions that they give. Too many people forget to take their medication or just don’t bother in the first place, which doesn’t give it any time to actually do its job. Doctors are skilled and experienced professionals, so, if they’re telling you that you should do something, chances are, it’s for a very good reason.

Growing older doesn’t have to mean growing unhealthy. With the tips above, we can all stay happy and healthy throughout our sixties and beyond.

Five Things to Improve the Value of Your Home

Reviews · 

If you would like to sell your current home and move on, maybe downsize or move into a new area, you will need to make sure that you are able to improve the value of your home so you can get more for your investment. Below you will find a few cost effective renovation ideas that will get you more value than what you spend on them, so you can attract cash buyers.

  1. Kitchen    

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

 

The first thing you have to focus on is your kitchen. It is usually women who have the final word when it comes to buying a family home, so make sure that it is functional and looks the part. You might want to replace the units or simply get them resurfaced, so you can show off the best features of this important room in your home. Consider adding a dining area if you are looking to attract young families with kids.

  1. Open Plan

Today’s buyers are looking for a bright and airy home, and this means that you might have to knock down a few walls to let natural light come into your home. Consult with a building professional to find the best and cheapest way of letting more light in. You might want to get larger windows, install patio doors, or get rid of the corridors and open up your living room and your kitchen.

  1. Improving the Curb Appeal     

Image via PxHere

 

First impressions count, and this is true when it comes to buying a new home. Tidy up your front yard and paint your rails and your door or window frames. If you have the budget, you might even replace your windows and give the front of your house an instant facelift. Pay attention to the fascias and the roof area, as potential buyers are likely to inspect them as soon as they approach your home.

  1. Bathroom Modernization

If you would like to improve how your home looks, you can start with the bathroom. This is an important functional space that matters for families. A few new units and a clear design, modern faucets, and a new floor will make a lot of difference when it comes to bathrooms. Take care of condensation issues, as they are likely to be spotted by vigilant buyers. Consult with a renovation expert at https://kitchensacramento.com/bathroom-remodeling/ to get some ideas for your next renovation on a budget.

  1. Energy Efficient Improvements

Modern families are looking for a home that is not only looking great, but also doesn’t cost a lot of money to run. Most property websites now help them get an idea how much the heating and air conditioning cost will be, so if you can add energy efficient improvements, such as secondary glazing and solar panels, you can make your property stand out from the crowd.

There are plenty of things to pay attention to before you can successfully put your home on the market. Start with decluttering, and go through every room to find development areas where you can make a positive difference.

Unusual Gift Ideas For Everyone

Reviews · 

Buying someone a present can certainly be a fun-filled process. The anticipation of the person’s reaction when receiving their gift is exciting. Not only that but knowing that you are going to make them happy is assured to be a great feeling. However, unfortunately, it is not always that straightforward, as buying a gift can be a difficult challenge, to say the least.

https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-s-holds-brown-gift-box-842876/

It is often hard to find the balance between buying a unique gift that you know is something the person would not expect and a gift which you know will make a good impression and that the person receiving it will love. You need to think of unusual gift ideas which are not too risky. After all, you don’t want your present to make an impression for all the wrong reasons.

Personal gifts

One of the best ways to make a gift unusual is to make it personal. Personal gifts are unique to you and your relationship with the person you are buying for. There are a whole host of ways in which you can make a personal present. One of the best and most popular options is to go for a photo frame with a personal photograph inside. Or alternatively, you could buy a scrapbook and fill it with memories, through the usage of photographs and other collectibles that you can stick in. This will take a lot of effort however it is assured to touch the heart of the person receiving it as it shows how much consideration, effort, and time you have put in.

Nevertheless, photograph-based presents are not the only way to make a gift unusual and personal. Another option is to think of a piece of jewelry that is adorned with a pendant or a charm which means something to the person. For instance, if the person you are buying for is an animal lover then why not incorporate this in the jewelry? If the person is particularly special to you and it is a milestone birthday, then one of the best ideas is to buy a charm bracelet and fill it with special charms which represent memorable occasions and your relationship with the person.

Gift bags, hampers, and boxes

If neither of these suggestions appeals to you then one of the best unusual gift ideas to opt for is to buy a beautiful gift box and fill it with an array of carefully selected small presents. This is an especially attractive option if you are struggling when it comes to deciding what to buy. You can fill the box with an array of goods which will contribute to the perfect night in, such as; candles, bath oils, chocolates, face masks, wine, and a DVD. This shows that you have put care into ensuring that the person you are buying for has an evening solely dedicated to relaxing and pampering themselves. Of course, you could go for a John Henric toiletries bag and fill it with creams and other skincare items, or you could go for a hamper and fill it with food or drink. The options are endless.

The ideas in this blog post will hopefully have helped you when it comes to finding a great unusual present for your friend, partner or family member. Good luck!

What would happen if Logistics companies ceased to exist?

Reviews · 

We have all heard about the butterfly effect; The theory that if there were to be a small change within the world’s ecosystem, it could have a knock-on effect that would cause it to affect many different things at a later stage.

Well, what if you were to take something larger? For instance, the subsequent effect if certain industries encountered some small changes.

Let’s say that logistics companies just… stopped. While this may not be a small change, it is an important thing to consider as it is a fundamental part of almost every industry. Just imagine what kind of effect that being unable to deliver and receive goods would have.

Problems with Fuel

First of all, there would be a severe lack of fuel, which itself would create a domino effect of sheer chaos. Lack of fuel means there is an inability to travel which affects every individual person in some substantial way. Whether it’s not being able to travel to work or as simple as not being able to travel to see a family member, there would be mass uproar.

Lack of Goods

Companies that supply food and water, especially supermarkets would be devastated. This is because these companies rely heavily on imported goods, even the products that are created within the same country would have significant trouble in arriving at their destination because there are no companies to deliver it. Even if the company were able to retrieve it themselves, they would be severely limited in the amount of produce that they can store within their vehicles.

These are just two of the several implications that I have discussed. There are copious amounts of consequences that these changes can result in. This really does show our reliance on certain industries as well as the accuracy of the butterfly effect as an observable theory. For an example of how the situation can progress (or regress) further, check out this infographic from https://www.returnloads.net/